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Tulani

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Dec 6, 2012
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which external hard-drive (type &/ or size) have you been using and can recommend for backing up the macbook?
 
I was particularly looking at the new retina Macbook with USB c

Thanks
 
I was particularly looking at the new retina Macbook with USB c

Thanks
While not directly answering the question, you could consider an Apple Time Capsule. One advantage is you never have to eject it when disconnecting it. The time capsule is more in sync with the philosophy of the retina macbook, with its single port.
 
While not directly answering the question, you could consider an Apple Time Capsule. One advantage is you never have to eject it when disconnecting it. The time capsule is more in sync with the philosophy of the retina macbook, with its single port.

Thanks. Some say it slows the WiFi is it true?
 
Thanks. Some say it slows the WiFi is it true?
I exchanged my mid-price router with a time-capsule, and that definitely increased WiFi speed a lot. I guess there could be a slow down during the actual time machine backup, but I have not noticed it.
 
I was particularly looking at the new retina Macbook with USB c

Thanks
- Any external hard drive will work with the rMB. Just a question of adaptors/cables. Not a lot of direct USB-C drives exist.

Time Capsule is a good option if you want to maintain the wireless feel and high mobility of the MacBook. AirPort Extreme with an attached USB hard drive is another, possibly cheaper and more flexible option.
 
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- Any external hard drive will work with the rMB. Just a question of adaptors/cables. Not a lot of direct USB-C drives exist.

Time Capsule is a good option if you want to maintain the wireless feel and high mobility of the MacBook. AirPort Extreme with an attached USB hard drive is another, possibly cheaper and more flexible option.

so me buying a 2TB time capsule to backup 500GB of macbook is that not an overkill?
 
The best drive? Two drives ... any data you care about you should back up at least twice. The brand doesn't really matter I've used every brand and they've all failed eventually.
Good advice and Time Machine will alternate backups with multiple drives. I use a Time Capsule and a WD external drive for my Time Machine backups.
 
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so me buying a 2TB time capsule to backup 500GB of macbook is that not an overkill?
- That's up to you. A general rule for Time Machine is to have a backup volume that's at least twice as large as the volume it is backing up. Provides for ample room for file histories and access to past backups. The least you'd want, certainly, is a 50% larger TM drive.
I actually have the 1:4 relationship you'd have with that TC. But with 256GB/1TB instead.

But you could also go for an AirPort Extreme with separate external HDD as I mentioned. That allows you to be more flexible.
 
- That's up to you. A general rule for Time Machine is to have a backup volume that's at least twice as large as the volume it is backing up. Provides for ample room for file histories and access to past backups. The least you'd want, certainly, is a 50% larger TM drive.
I actually have the 1:4 relationship you'd have with that TC. But with 256GB/1TB instead.

But you could also go for an AirPort Extreme with separate external HDD as I mentioned. That allows you to be more flexible.

Thank you
 
Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt (1TB) - There are many more options for mac but I use this for backing up my macbook.


1000 USD for a 1TB SSD in an external device??!!
Totally overpriced!


Samsung Memory 1TB USB 3.0 Portable = credit card size for about 350 USD at amazon !!!

Samsung SATA III 2,5" 850 SSD 1 TB plus external enclosure/cable about 290 USD...
 
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- That's up to you. A general rule for Time Machine is to have a backup volume that's at least twice as large as the volume it is backing up. Provides for ample room for file histories and access to past backups. The least you'd want, certainly, is a 50% larger TM drive.
I actually have the 1:4 relationship you'd have with that TC. But with 256GB/1TB instead.

But you could also go for an AirPort Extreme with separate external HDD as I mentioned. That allows you to be more flexible.

i am getting more and more inclined to the time capsule solution as probably trying to restore from a portable external hard drive may end up draining power from the macbook as you can not do USB and charge at once unless you have an adapter
 
i am getting more and more inclined to the time capsule solution as probably trying to restore from a portable external hard drive may end up draining power from the macbook as you can not do USB and charge at once unless you have an adapter
- A perfectly valid argument if you don't wish to use the adaptor.
I'd just like to repeat the AirPort Extreme with external drive option. Also makes it much easier and cheaper to replace the drive should it fail. That way, too, you can alternate between two different drives for added redundancy, if you want.
But Time Capsule is a bit simpler and more elegant, no doubt.
 
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- A perfectly valid argument if you don't wish to use the adaptor.
I'd just like to repeat the AirPort Extreme with external drive option. Also makes it much easier and cheaper to replace the drive should it fail. That way, too, you can alternate between two different drives for added redundancy, if you want.
But Time Capsule is a bit simpler and more elegant, no doubt.

Can you believe it

After all this insight I have finally bought a 1tb my passport ultra western digital external hard drive and used a USB c to standard USB adaptor for my initial 130gb time machine backup
All because of budget constraints

I would have loved the time capsule but.......

It took about 2 hours and it drained the Macbook from 100% to 70 % battery. Not bad I suppose
 
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